This application relates to configured to a feces collecting and packaging apparatus for performing automated operations of collecting and packaging the entire excrements. In one aspect, a bag supply machine of the apparatus dispenses a plastic bag with an upper opening directed into an inner space of a main body when a subject is on a seat of the main body. Following excretion, a sealing machine of the apparatus closes the upper opening of the plastic bag when the entire stools are completely contained. A collection machine of the apparatus secures the sealed plastic bag from the inner space of the main body.

A method and apparatus of packing product in a tubular casing is provided. The method includes providing a continuous length of tubular casing, providing an expansion plug within the tubular casing, grasping the casing upstream end with a casing grabber, moving the casing grabber away from the expansion plug towards an outlet end of a product feed conduit, feeding product from the product feed conduit through the casing upstream end into the tubular casing, and cutting the tubular casing downstream of the product to sever an upstream casing segment from the remaining continuous length of tubular casing.

An item packaging system can position and prepare a package for receiving one or more items. The package can be received by the system in a storage orientation and stored in a storage container. A picking assembly can be positioned above the storage container in a picking orientation and pick and rotate the package to a loading orientation. A gripper can grip the package in the loading orientation and transport the package to a loading station for loading the one or more items into the interior of the shipping receptacle.

A displacement device for a handling device, including an articulation mechanism on which the handling device is accommodated, wherein the handling device is displaceable by the articulation mechanism between a first position and a second position. The articulation mechanism has a four-pivot arrangement with a first link and a second link, wherein the first link is connected to the second link via a coupler. The coupler has a receiving section for receiving the handling device, wherein the first link, the second link and the coupler are matched to one another so that a substantially rectilinear displacement of the handling device takes place from the first position into the second position. In a method for displacement of a handling device by such a displacement device, the handling device is displaced substantially rectilinearly by the articulation mechanism between the first position and the second position. A packaging machine includes the displacement device.

A machine for forming bags with infusion or extraction products includes a station for forming and feeding single sheets; a U-shaped folding station for folding the sheet; a unit for sealing the two lateral edges the sheet to create a bag with a closed bottom and side and an open end opposite the bottom. A second carousel includes radial grippers each configured to receive a bag. A dosing station includes a first device for dosing a first product along a dosing trajectory towards the opening and a second dosing device for dosing a second product. A transporting element positioned between the dosing devices includes a container for receiving the second product. The transporting element moves the container from a second product dosing position to a position for unloading the second product coinciding with the dosing trajectory from where the container discharges the dose of the second product into the bag.

An assembly for adjusting the position of a gripper of fill machine. The assembly includes a gripper slidably mounted to a rail and carriage movable along guide rails. The carriage has an engagement arm which engages the gripper. The width of a pouch is entered into an entry portal which is connected to the controller. A controller activates a motor to move the carriage and engagement arm to a new position. The engagement arm is rotated to lock and unlock the gripper from the rail. A sensor locates the position of the gripper.

A bale bagging apparatus and method are provided. The bale bagging apparatus includes a bale feeding station, a bale chute, a bale bagging station, and a transportation system that transports a bale to be bagged from the bale feeding station through the bale chute and into the bale bagging station. The bale bagging station includes a bag receptacle, a first opening, and a bag retrieval assembly. The bag receptacle is positioned on a side opposite of the first opening from the side of the first opening on which the bale to be bagged is to be transported. The bag retrieval assembly retrieves a bag from the bag receptacle through the first opening. The bag retrieval assembly positions a first end of said bag around at least a portion of the bale chute before the bale to be bagged is transported through the bale chute by the transportation system.

Apparatus and methods for opening bags, wherein the method comprises: positioning the bag upon two or more gripping members; gripping a first section and a second section of the bag with the gripping members, wherein a third section of the bag is between the first section and the second section of the bag; heating the bag along the third section of the bag to form a heated section within the third section of the bag; inserting one or more ripping members into the third section of the bag; moving at least one of the ripping members inserted into the third section of the bag along the third section of the bag to form a tear in the bag within the heated section of the bag; and moving at least one of the gripping members apart from at least one other of the gripping members to move the first section of the bag apart from the second section of the bag, thereby enlarging the tear in the bag.

A displacement device for a handling device, having an articulation mechanism on which the handling device is accommodated, wherein the handling device is displaceable by the articulation mechanism between a first position and a second position. A pre-loading device is in operative connection with the articulation mechanism and/or the handling device to intercept the weight of the articulation mechanism and/or the handling device during displacement of the handling device between the first position and the second position. In a method for displacement of a handling device by such a displacement device, the pre-loading device unloads the weight of the handling device during displacement between the first position and the second position so that a continuous and reduced application of force moves the handling device. A packing machine for filling product like bulk materials into bags includes a filling module with a filling nozzle, a displacement device and a handling device.

A packaging system for filling bulk materials into packages, including a filling unit with a filling box, and a filling box for a filling unit of a packaging machine for filling bulk materials into packages, including an upwardly opened takeup space for a package, wherein the takeup space is laterally enclosed by side walls. A partial vacuum device is provided, which is disposed in a corner portion between the side walls. The method for filling packages provides for a package to be guided to the takeup space of such a filling box of a filling unit of a packaging system. The partial vacuum device is then activated for aspirating a flexible wall of a package into the corner portion between the side walls of the takeup space of the filling box.